YOURSAY ‘BR1M is nothing but a means for Najib to buy our votes.’

Economist says BR1M no help in easing poverty

Anonymous#007: This is a commendable finding, but it is not new. Research as far back as 30 years ago have shown that subsidies and cash handouts are neither permanent nor effective solutions to eradicate poverty.

Research had also shown that all subsidies must come with an expiry date - or as mentioned, an exit plan - in order to not leave the dependents in a lurch.

And on the topic of subsidies, research also show that the most corrupt governments are normally in countries with the most subsidies and discretionary handouts.

The Grameen example is often cited as a successful poverty eradication model. However, the interest charged on micro-credit can be as high as 40 to 60 percent per annum. No, I did not make a mistake.

This has raised moral issues, among which is whether we should allow banks to profit from the poor through micro-credit, while corporate folk can get access to taxpayer-subsidised funding (for example, infrastructure projects).

Single Malt: Hear hear, Universiti Malaya Centre for Poverty and Development Studies economist Fatimah Kari - one educated person talking sense. Please don't arrest her for her frank analysis and statement.

Kingfisher: The Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) initiative by PM Najib Razak does not recognise a number of fundamental aspects of the nation’s economic challenges namely: prevailing low wages for the majority of the workforce, failure of the government to institute mid/long-term multifaceted social instruments of income support both in the private (especially) and public sectors, continuing default in preventing wastage and mismanagement of public funds and politically ill-conceived perceptions that handouts - like for refugees after a disaster - will have a populist appeal among Malaysians.

SpongeBob: The Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) is BN’s and Umno’s image enhancer as the image of these political parties is greatly affected by their corrupt practices.

It is also used as a tool by Umno leaders to plunder on the pretext of helping the poor. It is an agenda to hide the increasing poverty and income disparity among the Malays. In short, a simple solution to Najib’s political woes.

OurVotesDecide!: Najib always claim that he does not practice populist policies but BR1M is clearly a populist policy. It is nothing but a means for Najib to buy our votes.

To come and claim the BR1M money alone incurred substantial costs for its recipients in terms of transport costs/fares and then the cost of one having to abandon his/her job/work for the whole day if you are residing in the outskirts of the town where BR1M is paid, but two days if you live in the interior areas or in the kampungs or longhouses.

In the end, BR1M achieves nothing in eradicating poverty or help its recipients to face the high costs of goods, etc.

YUNoAnon: You should get the government to demonstrate how can one survive on RM500 for a year. Even better, how RM500 a year can make a difference to your savings.

Anonymous #81405125: Hello, Malaysians, the BR1M money RM500 works out to RM1.36 per day. How are the poor folks going to survive on RM1.36?

Heavenly King: This is a typical example of Ahjibnomics.

CiViC: We don't need an economist to tell us that. But unfortunately that's what BN wants us to be, nothing more than beggars so that they can remain in power.

Foodforthought: Reduce subsidies because the country cannot afford them, yet there are funds for BR1M?

Apapunboleh: BRIM is more like ganja-nomics. BN is trying to hook the poor for their votes. No votes, no ganja.

When the economy has reached the cliff of no return, the BN politicians who had scammed public money will enjoy their ill-gotten gains overseas.

'PM shifts to kangkung economic model'

Kim Quek: Another glaring piece of hanky-panky over the award of not just another government project but a giant independent power producer (IPP) project that reportedly cost over RM11 billion.

Apart from another big blow to investors’ confidence, thus further lowering Malaysia’s economic competitiveness, Najib has just slapped his own face over his much-touted “economic transformation” that boasts of bringing the country ‘developed country’ status well before 2020.

Quigonbond: It used to be nicer phrased as Najibnomics. Now it’s Kangkungnomics.

Kingfisher: You don't need a (American economist) Paul Krugman to alert Malaysians that Najib with his teammate (Minister in the PM’s Department) Idris Jala seem incapable of putting in place a transparent and morally principled form of governance, especially in the exploitation/allocation and management of public resources.

Najib has not, it appears, the tradition in his person to be righteous and fair minded.

ManaBoleh...: DAP MP Tony Pua, if it’s not done at such manner, how to arrange or remit hundred of millions of ringgit out to Hollywood to buy up super high-end properties and finance films production there?

Me: I wonder if there's another country where so many facts are spilled out to prove how obnoxious and stinky its leader is? And have we heard if he is at all bothered to explain with credibility? Does it sound like he cared?

Anonymous #47435535: Sigh. It’s looking like kangkung would be more expensive from today...

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